KODAK MOMENT of the Day

I had a big plans this year for our Christmas photo. I pictured Andrew and I with Strider in a field at sunset in matching outfits. Well...life happened. Andrew said he wanted everyone to be in the picture which meant the cats and dog. I lost track of time as well and it was too late to book our photographer. So I settled for a quant picture on the couch using self timer ? 
After I took the photo I showed several people some people thought it was cute and others question why I didn’t do a professional picture. Well honestly I am very content how the picture turned out. It’s not the picture perfect family photo that everyone hopes fore. But the picture is us. The photo perfectly describes my family. The cats hate the dog, Strider just wants to play and love them and Andrew and I our just sitting back and laughing. We get so caught up especially around the holidays trying to make everything perfect. Truth is no matter how hard you try it’s never going to be perfect. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about, the imperfect story turning out to be the perfect gift? 
Don’t get me wrong a love a good professional picture and I love receiving all the wonderful Christmas cards. But I am happy and blessed to have a not so picture perfect family. 

Early morning relaxation at Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon. Such a peaceful and magical place.

We took this picture of our baby for our Christmas card. His little butt is just too cute! Happy Holidays!

Our daughter has always enjoyed the entire season of Christmas - with all of its experiences. I took this picture in our livingroom in Orrville, Ohio after we had just brought down the decorations from the attic. For me, it captures the look of wonder, and excitement of a child who embraces the spirit of Christmas.

These are my three children. I took the photo in our backyard during the summer. I really liked the way the lighting and shadows highlighted their faces. We ended up using this photo on our Christmas card this year.

The dog was perfectly still(for a millisecond)...the kids and the little guy...well, they were laughing too hard to pose! But I love it...makes my heart smile!

These are two of my grandsons playing at the piano on a holiday visit to our home. The expressions are timeless as they try to sing and play tunes on this special ocassion.

Little Tate peeking through and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

This is my 2 year old baby girl. I love how it looks as though she has spotted Santa through the window. She is such a sweetie! I took the picture using window light only, with one curtain shut, so I could still capture the fiber optic tree sparkling beside her. Merry Christmas everyone!

This is my son with his Christmas present. Taken with natural light through a large window. He forgot I was there and I just kept snapping.

This is how I deal with snow! First significant powder day of the ski season.

Took the dogs out for a walk on the beach and let them play in the water as a Christmas present. 

Sister was eating a lemon and then I had this idea, told her to do it and it made a great picture.

My daughter Nella at play on snow.

My daughter-in-law took this photograph of my son holding grandson& I've been taking and looking at photos for over 40 years now - and it's one of my all-time favorite photos - so I submitted it (with her permission... she's too humble to do it herself)... I have to admit that she and my son are both better photographers than I am (which makes me happy)...we all wonder about the little guy's potential for photographic talent - although we all also (sometimes) secretly hope he becomes a lawyer (starving artist isn't as fun as it sounds).

I took this picture of my brother last year on a foggy day in the Lake District. My brother didn't realise he was being photographed, which makes this photograph even more special for me.

There is a hidden swing in the hills of La Jolla. The view is breathtaking and provides a much needed moment of serenity. 

Taken at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe with Washoe Lake on the background.

We are fortunate to live in Switzerland for a few years and love getting out into the mountains and enjoying traditional Swiss events. The photo was taken at an annual fun race held on the ski slopes in Adelboden, Switzerland. The sled is traditionally used in winter to bring hay down from the mountain huts.

This is taken at Svalbard. We went with a group of friends and had an amazing time in an enchanted and unique environment. This photo is taken while I am passenger at a snowmobile driving to Tempelfjorden Svalbard. I love the vast landscape and how it reflects on my friend's helmet. I always get happy and calm when I see this.

A beautiful winter wonderland! What better way to spend it than being a child once again and seeing the beauty of snow through a child's eyes.

Texas sunset picture of my sweet girl 

We had a snow day and puppy wanted to go outside and play! I took this in my back yard and It is about my pet and relates to the category because it's about animals and pets.

A little help on a snowy morning.

This is me and my best friend in the badlands this summer. (Badlands , ND)

Taken in January, at my home. This picture is special because it has all my dogs together having a great time, even though it was 20 degrees outside.

After an hour of my 4 year old watching everyone play pool at a BBQ we were at. He was handed a cue and went to town.

My daughter Gracelynn was so excited to wear her elsa dress in the Colorado snow! 
 

a Texas girls dream ❄️

My boyfriend and I took our dog to the beach on the ugliest day possible. The sky was a blanket of gray on a cold, windy day. I took this picture just as my dog (d'Artagnan) was jumping for a treat. It's a comical silhouette juxtaposed on top of a dreary scene.

Went out for an evening stroll as a family, and I wanted to capture a Kodak moment of my kids.  We live full time in an RV so outside time is crucial.  When I told them to smile, this was the result, lol.  Love my little hams!  

When you feel a gut instinct to capture the moment, trust it as you never know what you can come up with ?

I love this picture of my five year old twins because they look so cute in their hats. I told them to put their heads together and smile!

During our visit to Kerala.

My daughter Nella at play in the snow.

I took this photo on one of the last days of 2019 along the Turnagain Arm nearby Anchorage, Alaska. It was a miserably cold day, and it was early in the morning. The weather did not look promising when out of nowhere this epic battle of light and darkness unfolded with sunshine breaking through, albeit only briefly. 

As I reminisce about my dog, who is now turning 3, I remember the "firsts." He was so excited to play out in the snow, and to this day he still hops around the backyard like the 6 week old puppy he was in this picture. I love my dog.

Making the most out of a snowy day! This is my daughter playing in the snow. I love the colors, they are so vibrant, grab your attention right away.

I am amazed at how small this newborn baby was. I was trying to think of a way to show this when this happened!

This was taken during the Snowmobile Racing event at Mirabel, Quebec

I went out sledding with my 8-year-old daughter on the first snowfall this year. WOW is that fun! 

Taken with the help of Instagram user sugarfuut two nights ago. 20 second exposure at iso 6400 Nikon d750.

My neighbor's pup wanted to share his toy with me. Coco is a little sweetheart and is always happy to see me. He has such expressive eyes...

My son Ethan looking at me through our sliding glass door during the first snow of the season as I stayed warm inside.

My Grandson's first walk in the new, fresh snow.

This is a picture of my friend Kate.

Taken at Mt. Rose Ski Resort in Reno, Nevada during the NCAA West Regional and Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association Championships.

This picture is of my daughter and it truly captures her personality. She is a very happy child. I just love how her energy shines in her expression.

This picture exemplifies how football team members can become like brothers. My son said to his friend after they played a very rough, physical game and they were hurting, "Let's help each other off the field." Even tough guys need support sometimes!

I love to see kids racing. Taken at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.

My friends and me doing the Bataan Death March for ROTC core. Just overall having a great time.

I took this picture of my daughter and her new kitten, while taking required photo's for my photography classes. This one just happened upon me.

My Love of the Violin

Kevin is our son and he, like many other toddlers, loves his blankie.

Cuddles and hugs with my gorgeous son. Fathers love! 

Juno is the first dog we have ever had and she is the ultimate Boston Terrier that is adored! This was taken in the early morning hours in California in our home. Juno loves to snuggle in blankets and always looks so snug.

This photo was taken for Valentine's Day. I put lipstick on and kissed all over our kids and they giggled and loved it!

I took this picture of my son on a snowy day in January. I love to look at it during the heat of summer — when we tend to forget how cold and icy it can be, and we wish for summer.

We arrived at Vik around 2:00 pm, which put us right at the golden hour. The beach was quiet against the roughness of the landscape. (Camera - Pentax67, Film - Portra400)

Our rescue dog at home

My boyfriend and I were having a wonderful time at our friends wedding. I guess there’s something about events such as weddings that truly bring out the purity in the love you have for one another. There’s no better feeling than being yourself with someone else. ❤️

A picture that captures a cherished moment that special Bond between a little Boy and his dog, the stillness, the beauty, the surroundings the connection between all that represents the Pureness of innocence between a child, a dog and nature ❤️?

Family time, we all got up at 6am to watch the sunrise. Sunset Beach, NC Family memories on vacation.

Three years old, in her favorite winter dress, and her favorite winter hat.